Mumbai: On account of a public holiday today, several Ganesh mandals across the city brought their Ganesh idols to their respective pandals, leading to major traffic disruptions in the Lalbaug and Parel areas due to large processions.
The processions began this afternoon, especially around Chinchpokli. One prominent route saw the procession start from Ganesh Talkies (Parab Chowk) and proceed via Sane Guruji Marg–Gas Company Junction–Dr B. R. Ambedkar Road–southbound Sardar Hotel Junction–Dattaram Lad Marg up to the mandal’s pandal.
Traffic Police Deployed, But Gridlocks Persist
To manage the traffic flow, police personnel were deployed at key junctions. However, congestion persisted on Sunday from noon till evening, particularly on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road and the Chinchpokli bridge. Around noon, Khetwadicha Raja’s idol procession was underway on the Chinchpokli Bridge. The arrival ceremony of the renowned Kalachowki Mahaganpati also added to the bottleneck near Sardar Hotel Junction.
Major Mandals Converge, Intensify Pressure on Roads
With a heavy turnout and further vehicular snarls expected during the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, the Mumbai Traffic Department is ramping up preparations. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Mahesh Tawde stated that additional traffic police personnel will be deployed, and barricades will be installed mid-road in high-density zones like Lalbaug and Parel to ensure smoother traffic management.
